Greetings! If you have loved the content I've produced on this podcast, I hope you will head over to my new podcast, The Exclusive Career! More of the same great content, but upleveled for even more insights, wisdom, and actionable strategies to help you achieve your most ambitious career goals.While you're there, I hope you will rate, review and subscribe or follow.Rest assured that this podcast will remain up for you to continue to listen to.

I thought last week was my last episode of The Exclusive Career Coach as I move over to my new podcast, The Exclusive Career - but I missed a few steps and the first episode of the new podcast didn't get published. The first two episodes are up now on all the major platforms, so I hope you'll check it out! Want to reach out? Lesa@theexclusivecareer.com

The host celebrates over 350 episodes of insightful content, empowering listeners in their career journeys. A major shift in coaching services is unveiled, focusing on a new intensive program for high-achievers eyeing career moves. Reflection on personal growth highlights the importance of overcoming self-doubt and embracing change in podcasting. Tips on job searches, resume writing, and negotiation strategies are shared, aiming to equip professionals for their next big step.

Networking doesn't have to be daunting! Discover how to seamlessly weave networking into your everyday life, from book clubs to sports events. Learn the importance of initiating conversations in familiar spaces and leveraging social media to connect with like-minded individuals. Regularly checking in with existing contacts can keep relationships fresh and beneficial. Embrace networking as a continuous practice, not just a job-search tool, to unlock your career potential!

Discover the unique challenges of searching for remote jobs in a competitive landscape. With remote job postings dwindling, the importance of effective networking and resume optimization is emphasized. Learn how to leverage job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, while also utilizing advanced search filters. The podcast also urges seeking clarification from HR on remote work options before applying, ensuring a smart job search strategy. Get ready to navigate the remote job market with practical tips and insights!

Bruce Tulgan, Founder of RainmakerThinking, shares invaluable insights on feedback dynamics between managers and employees. He reveals that 70% of job losses stem from poor manager interactions. Tulgan advocates for proactive coaching over punitive measures and emphasizes the significance of respectful communication, especially when addressing sensitive topics like professional appearance. He also discusses the importance of understanding diverse working styles and highlights best practices for delivering timely, specific feedback that fosters growth.

We’re talking about the job market and the job search for 2025 – a forecast, coupled with some how-to’s.  These seem to be universally accepted as the expectations for the 2025 job market: Cooling Down: The job market is cooling down from the post-pandemic boom. Hiring has slowed, and competition for jobs is increasing. Low rate of voluntary quits continues, but there is the possibility that it will shift back to a job seeker’s market in 2025.  Resilience: Despite the slowdown, unemployment remains low, and the economy is still relatively strong. Labor Shortages: Several industries continue to face labor shortages, particularly in low-wage and in-person roles. ·       Diverse Strategies to Address the Labor Shortage: -40% of managers plan to engage contract professionals to fill skills gaps -39% will work with a managed services provider for critical initiatives and functions. -Contract professionals -Project consultants - Managed services providers Skills Focus: The demand for skills like technology, data analysis, and healthcare will continue to grow. ·       Demand for Soft Skills: As the job market shifts, there has been a greater importance placed on soft skills. Soft skills are becoming more sought after, since 79% of leaders believe the longevity of technical skills is limited to five years or less.  ·      AI Impact: Artificial intelligence is increasingly impacting the job market, automating some tasks while creating new roles that require skills in AI and related fields. AI also changes the skills employers need, shifting demand from repetitive tasks to critical thinking and technical expertise. Focus on Upskilling and Reskilling: Workers will need to continually upgrade their skills to remain competitive in the changing job market. ·      Increased Salary Transparency: Pay transparency in job postings has more than doubled since 2020. According to Indeed Hiring Lab, more than 40% of US job postings now include employer-provided salary information. In 2025, even more job postings will list the salary range to attract qualified talent.  ·      Remote Work: Remote work options will likely continue to evolve, with many companies adopting hybrid models. According to HR Executive, 33% of U.S. employers required full-time in-office work in 2024. This number is expected to increase, but not exceed, 50% in 2025. Increased Focus on Employee Well-Being: Companies are increasingly prioritizing employee well-being, offering benefits like flexible work arrangements and mental health support. ·      Skills Over Degrees: Employers are increasingly shifting their focus from traditional credentials, like degrees, to skills-based hiring. This shift allows for a more diverse talent pool and gives candidates without degrees a chance to prove their capabilities through relevant skills.  The rise of certifications and nontraditional educational pathways has significantly influenced this shift.   What all of this means for your job search in 2025: Develop in-demand skills: Identify and develop skills that are highly sought after by employers. Invest in certifications and training from reputable organizations.  Network: Build and maintain strong professional relationships. Customize your resume and cover letter: Tailor your application materials to each specific job. Prepare for interviews: Practice your interviewing skills and research potential employers. ·      Stay Informed: Follow economic and industry updates. Staying informed enables you to anticipate changes rather than react to them. Focusing on trends in your specific industry can also help you identify skill gaps and align your expertise with future demands. This is especially important if you have been out of work for a while.  ·      Wage Expectations: Generally, wages haven’t kept up with inflation. Do your homework and set reasonable expectations for compensation.  Expect a Poor Candidate Experience: -Ghosting: Companies often fail to communicate with applicants throughout the process, leaving them feeling undervalued and frustrated.  -Lengthy Processes: Time-consuming applications and multiple rounds of interviews can deter qualified candidates.  ·      Don’t Take on Your Job Search in 2025 AloneMarketing Documents – Skills - Mindset My sources for this episode: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Meritamerica.com, insightglobal.com, roberthalf.com  Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The document and coaching programs offered by Exclusive Career Coaching will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you’re worth.  If you’re ready to take your job search to the next level by working with a highly experienced professional with a track record of client success, schedule a complimentary consult to learn more:  https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/zoom-meetings2

As the year wraps up, it's the perfect time to reflect on your progress and plan for the next one. Discover the powerful 'stop, start, continue, change' framework for personal and professional growth. Learn what to delegate, new habits to embrace, and what to maintain from your successes. Emphasizing incremental change, the discussion highlights how even small adjustments can lead to significant improvements. Dive into self-awareness as a tool for navigating relationships and achieving targeted goals.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Roger Gerard, the owner of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving executives and boards in strategic planning, operational planning, executive coaching, and management development. Roger talks about leadership’s important role in employee engagement – and why hiring for cultural fit is so important. Roger walks us through three types of employees a leader may encounter – the cynic, the apathetic, and the naysayer – and how to lead each. Roger’s 5 simple promises leaders need to make and keep sound so easy, and yet so few companies actually do this well. We also talk about what an employee can do when leadership isn’t holding up their end of the bargain, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Dr. Gerard is the author of Owning the Room: Leading with Mind, Heart and Spirit to Make Extraordinary Choices in a Demanding World and the forthcoming title, Lead With Purpose: Reignite Passion and Engagement For Professionals in Crisis. He also co-authored On the Mend: Revolutionizing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the Industry. To connect with Dr. Gerard please visit his website www.rogergerard.com and www.linkedin.com/in/rogerg. Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The document and coaching programs offered by Exclusive Career Coaching will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you’re worth.  If you’re ready to take your job search to the next level by working with a highly experienced professional with a track record of client success, schedule a complimentary consult to learn more:  https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/zoom-meetings2

Learn how to navigate the hiring maze with insights for both employers and candidates. Discover essential planning steps to clarify expectations and identify key skills needed for success. Understand the importance of effective interviewing and collaboration among team members. Explore techniques to foster better communication after interviews and ensure cultural alignment in new hires. It's a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their hiring game!